Insurance Blog
9 Life Changes That Could Affect Your Insurance
Major life changes that affect your household, property, income or financial situation should always come with a phone call to your insurance agent. Events like getting married, having a baby, moving, renovating your home and starting a business can affect your insurance coverage, so it’s best to work through what their implications might be with your agent.
Fortunately, ERIE agents have seen it all, so they’ll be able to walk you through coverage solutions suitable for your current place in life. Below are just a few life changes you should make your agent aware of.
You’re Getting Married (or Divorced)
Making sure your spouse-to-be is protected by the right life insurance, insuring a new home, putting both names on any auto policies, getting extra coverage for that sparkly engagement ring—there are lots of things worth discussing with your insurance agent before you walk down the aisle. On the flip side, there are things that will change with a divorce as well.
Why it matters: Without alerting your agent to your change in marital status, you run the risk of having gaps in your insurance coverage.
You’re Having a Baby
Whether it’s your first or your fifth, a baby is a reason to check your life insurance coverage. This holds true whether you’re employed—and have coverage through work—or are a stay-at-home parent.
Why it matters: A growing family can change your financial responsibilities and protection needs. Your agent can help you review your life insurance and determine whether any updates make sense.
You’re Moving
A new house or apartment will need new coverage. An insurance agent can tell you what you need in homeowners insurance or renters insurance.
Why it matters: Whether you’re moving from house to house, a house to an apartment or vice versa, your insurance needs will differ with your new place. So too will your coverage, which may take the form of a new insurance policy.
You’re Adding on to Your House
A new addition often means you need a higher limit on your homeowners insurance.
Why it matters: A major renovation or addition can change the value and features of your home. Your agent can help determine whether your homeowners coverage should be updated.
You Have a Child Heading to College
Your insurance agent can tell you what’s covered when your child is away from home. He or she can also tell you about life insurance for student loans if you’re a cosigner on a loan.
Why it matters: Your agent knows what’s covered in your child’s dorm room, how their auto insurance works away from home and whether there are any college student discounts available.
You’re Buying a New Car
Like a new house or apartment, a new car means you’ll need to update your auto insurance policy.
Why it matters: Coverage gaps can arise if you don’t alert your agent to your new purchase.
You’re Starting a Business—Even if it’s a Home-Based Business
No matter where your business is located or how big it is, you’ll most likely need business insurance to ensure everything has proper protection.
Why it matters: Starting a business can create insurance needs that are different from your personal coverage. Your agent can help you understand what coverage may be appropriate for your business.
You’re About to Start a New Job
If your new job comes with a new salary, you may need extra life insurance protection.
Why it matters: You’ll want to talk with your insurance agent about what kind of life insurance is offered through your job—in many instances, it isn’t enough to fully protect your loved ones in the event that the unthinkable happens.
You’re Switching Mortgage or Auto Lenders
When you alert your agent to the correct lienholder, you’re updating your policy and preventing any potential issues with claims settlements.
Why it matters: Claims payments can get confusing if your old lender is still listed on your policy.
Stay on Top of Your Coverage
Even if you don't fall into any of the scenarios mentioned above, it's still a good idea to check in with your agent once a year. Whether you’re making a new major purchase, getting a roommate or getting a dog, your agent can give your coverage a quick checkup to make sure everything’s still sized right for your life and what’s new in it.
Find a local ERIE agent who can help you no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Posted on 21 September 2026 | 5:00 pm
What Happens If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls in My Yard?
For the most part, homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So, if a storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, your homeowners insurance could help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused on your property, after your deductible.
The same is true in reverse: If a tree on your property falls in your neighbor’s yard, your neighbor should contact his or her insurance company to determine what type of coverage is available for damage or cleanup in their yard.
In most cases, neighbors are able to work things out without too much trouble. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to file a homeowners insurance claim. Your homeowners insurance may or may not cover the cost of tree cleanup, depending on your policy and the company you work with.
Good news: Homeowners insurance from ERIE typically pays for the cost (subject to sublimits) of removal of fallen trees if it’s due to a covered peril, such as a storm.
If there’s ever an issue between neighbors, you can rely on your claims adjuster to help straighten everything out.
The Claims Process
If a tree falls on your house, the first thing to do, if it’s safe, is to try to prevent further damage to your home and property. Make sure to take some photos to document what happened.
Then call your insurance agent, who can explain your options and help you understand if and how to file a claim. When you file a claim, a claims adjuster will come by to evaluate the damage and explain how your homeowners coverage comes into play. It’s recommended that you call your claims adjuster before you contract to have the tree removed.
Sometimes trees fall on cars. If it’s not safe or possible to remove the tree from the car yourself, you should call a professional to remove it. (Again, talk to your insurance agent and a claims adjuster first and take a few photos of the fallen tree on your car.) Depending on the damage and terms of your insurance coverage, the optional comprehensive coverage you may have under your auto policy could provide coverage for the loss.
Preventing Tree Damage
Taking preventive measures can potentially help you avoid any this situation in the first place.
Start by looking for signs of distress such as dead limbs, cracks in the trunk or major limbs, leaning to one side and branches that are close to a house or power line. Mushroom growth on the roots or bark can also signal trouble.
Homeowners should be aware of the health of their trees. It’s possible for you to be held responsible for resulting damage to your neighbor’s house or property, if your tree falls due (in whole or part) to your own neglect. One of the best things to do is to regularly have large trees trimmed. (The Tree Care Industry Association lists accredited tree care professionals.)
Learn more about homeowners insurance from ERIE or find an Erie Insurance agent in your community.
Posted on 15 September 2026 | 5:00 pm
How ERIE Handles Claims Away from Home
Insurance claims usually aren’t a top priority for travelers heading on a road trip.
A specialized team of ERIE claims professionals make certain they remain out of mind.
ERIE’s Zone Outside of ERIE Territory (OET) team works to ensure that customers traveling outside ERIE’s territory receive the same seamless, responsive claims service they would if the loss occurred at home.
From deer damage to vandalism to RV claims and arranging replacement rentals (where included in the policy), the OET team handles the challenges that can arise from a loss far from home. While ERIE offers insurance in 12 states and the District of Columbia, the OET team, with specific knowledge on topics including varying state regulations, repair networks and rentals, is specially equipped to handle claims occurring elsewhere.
And they do it a lot. Each year, the OET team handles about 10,000 out-of-territory claims.
“We understand that people are driving away from home for many reasons, whether they are on vacation, traveling for work or maybe it’s part of their daily commute,” said Jessica Knapp, the OET team supervisor. “Our job is ensuring there is no disruption in the claims service we provide when they’re away.”
By designating a team for out-of-territory claims, ERIE can reduce the number of personnel involved in a claim and allow an ERIE adjuster to serve as the single point of contact to customers. The OET team also speeds up claims processing, enables improved consistency in claims handling standards and helps lessen the need for use of independent adjusters.
“Having a dedicated team gives us a greater ability to carry out our promise of service regardless of where our customers are physically located,” Jessica said.
Serving customers across the country also means navigating different states’ regulatory environments. The team maintains adjuster licenses in all 17 states outside ERIE's footprint where licensing is required.
Kristina, who is licensed in all states with requirements, said helping people when they’re most in need is her favorite part of her role as adjuster.
“When something happens and you’re away from home, your first thought is often going to be that you’re in a strange place and you’re all alone,” she said. “Well, you’re not. We’re always here, able and willing to help you.”
That means being there for customers when they need us, especially when they’re away from home. OET adjusters offer extended availability from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. And no matter the time of day, customers can report a claim 24/7 by calling ERIE at (800) 367-3743, reporting online or using our mobile app. Customers can also contact their ERIE agent during regular business hours.
ERIE’s photo appraisal also helps streamline the claims process for accidents away from home. By allowing customers to take and submit photos of damage, it can eliminate the need for an estimate from an auto body shop or a claims adjuster to inspect the vehicle. Photo appraisal isn’t just for out-of-territory claims; it’s offered for most auto accidents, no matter where they occur.
Providing customers with a consistent experience—no matter where an accident occurs—is a central goal of ERIE’s claims operation. And while every claim is different, ERIE’s customers still expect a certain standard away from home. The OET team takes that charge to heart.
“We try to communicate to customers that no matter where they are, we’ll be able to help,” Kristina said. “Our goal is to make sure our customers have fewer worries when they’re away from home, because we’ll still be able to help them.”
Take ERIE with You
No matter where you go, ERIE offers protection that accompanies you along the way. To experience the difference in service for yourself, contact a local ERIE agent to get started.
Posted on 23 August 2026 | 5:00 pm
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